During Hate Crime Awareness Week (14th – 21st October), NUCASTLE hosted a special football tournament uniting teams representing those often targeted by hate crime.
Headway Tyneside’s walking football team participated in a unique ‘walking football festival’, playing against other Newcastle United Foundation teams on Wednesday 18th October. The standard of the opposition was high but our members stepped up and absolutely brought their A-Game! The other teams were worthy competitors and as the tournament came to a close, it was a delight to hear that Headway Tyneside were crowned the overall winners!
It is nigh on impossible to name a player of the tournament with the prowess of so many of our players, but honorable mentions must be made to Malcolm who scored our opening goal, Alan who netted the ball with the final kick of the day, and of course Craig who scored a magnificant hat-trick, receiving a standing ovation from the opposition teams.
This event was organised by Newcastle Foundation as part of Hate Crime Awareness week. Prior to the festival, all of the teams participating met for an informal talk and shared lunch together. We learnt that North East community members can now report hate crimes to specially trained Newcastle United Foundation staff as part of the charity’s commitment to providing a safe environment for all. The Foundation’s community hub, NUCASTLE is now certified as a Safe Reporting Centre by Northumbria Police, providing a neutral location to report hate crime or hate incidents without having to contact the police directly.
NU foundation
Headway Tyneside is grateful to the coaching staff for providing such a supportive and positive environment for our players to enjoy walking football. We also recognise and are truly appreciative of the way our opposition team mates modified their playing style today to enable our members to participate safely.